Ex-boss Cooper’s captures... where are they now with Martin in charge?
SWANSEA City face a big summer in the transfer market and their recruitment record in recent years has been solid. Russell Martin has brought in a number of players who have hit the ground running in SA1, and the same could be said of his predecessor, Steve Cooper.
He has since moved on to pastures new with Nottingham Forest, but some of his recruits are still in south Wales. In total, 23 players were brought in under the former Liverpool age-grade coach’s watch, with the majority of moves working out well.
We’ve taken a look at where they are now, including some of the more obscure names who have fallen off the radar slightly...
Jake Bidwell
SIGNED on a free from QPR. Solid if not spectacular player, he left south Wales in January for Championship rivals Coventry City. The 29-year-old played just under 100 games for Swansea in his time here. Will be remembered for his goal against Cardiff City in the 3-0 win earlier this season.
Kristoffer Peterson
SWANSEA paid £500,000 rising to nearly £1million for the former Liverpool winger in the summer of 2019. He joined from Dutch club Heracles.
The Swedish international showed flashes of what he was capable of, but never managed to nail down a regular starting place and was sold to Fortuna Dusseldorf following a loan spell with Utrecht. He made just seven appearances for Swansea. He has one year left on his contract with the German division two outfit.
Ben Wilmot
SIGNED on loan from Watford, like Bidwell he will be remembered for his winning goal in the South Wales derby.
Returned to the Hornets but was promptly sold to Stoke City in the summer of 2021. Has played 34 times for the Potters in all competitions this season.
Freddie Woodman
SPENT two seasons in SA1 having signed on loan from Newcastle United. Was a huge hit with supporters, embracing life in south Wales and putting in solid displays. Could have possibly stayed if promotion had been achieved. Went back to St James’ Park and started the season as number one due to an injury crisis, but quickly fell back down the pecking order.
Joined Bournemouth on loan in January but he’s had to settle for a place on the bench so far.
Aldo Kalulu
A rare transfer miss during this period, Kalulu was signed from Basel but suffered injury issues during his time here.
Swansea had an option to make the move permanent but decided against it. Now plies his trade with French club Sochaux, where he has scored four goals in 17 outings.
Sam Surridge
WAS signed as an Oli Mcburnie replacement but didn’t really get going before his loan was terminated by parent club Bournemouth. Still, he netted seven times in 23 appearances in all competitions for Swansea - not a bad return at all.
Joined Stoke City on a four-year deal last August and linked up with Cooper again in January at Nottingham Forest, and has scored twice in 10 games for the Reds.
Rhian Brewster
BROUGHT in from Liverpool, the striker was a massive hit in SA1, netting 11 goals in 22 games and helping Swansea into the play-offs.
Earned a big-money move to Sheffield United on the back of his impressive loan but has found life tougher at Bramall Lane.
Didn’t score a single goal in his first season as the Blades were relegated. Has fared better this term back in the Championship but his season has been curtailed by injury.
Conor Gallagher
GALLAGHER is the name on everyone’s lips at the moment, making his bow for England this week.
Left Swansea after an impressive loan stay and went to West Brom for a term. Parent club Chelsea have loaned him out again this season to Crystal Palace where he has been in superb form for Patrick Vieira’s side. The financial mess at Stamford Bridge could see him play a key role for the Blues next year.
Marc Guehi
ANOTHER who has made a name for himself after his time in Swansea. Chelsea sold him to Palace for £20million last summer and it looks like quality business. Guehi also made his debut for Gareth Southgate in the latest international break. Big career ahead of him.
Korey Smith
SIGNED on a free from Bristol City, Smith is another who falls into the solid signing category. Still at the club and is a useful squad player under Russell Martin.
Ryan Bennett
WAS a key player under Cooper and was a big part of the solid defensive effort under the former boss.
Appears to be surplus to requirements under Martin and has struggled for game-time. He will likely be moved on this summer.
Jamal Lowe
SIGNED from Wigan for £800,000, Lowe blew hot and cold at the-then Liberty Stadium, going on scoring streaks interspersed with barren spells. Superb brace against Cardiff in the Welsh capital will be his highlight, no doubt.
Now with Bournemouth, he appears set for a shot at the Premier League. The 27-year-old has scored six goals in all competitions this season.
Joel Latibeaudiere
THE former Manchester City man has done OK since his move to Landore, and like Smith has been a solid squad option for Martin. Could be a question mark over his future this summer, though.
Ryan Manning
FOUND breaking into the team tough under Cooper, it’s fair to say he has been a player reborn under Martin. Has been one of the stand-out performers this term, having been converted to a left-sided central defender.
Ben Hamer
PLAYED second fiddle to Woodman under the previous regime, got his chance under Martin despite Steven Benda starting the season as number one.
Was solid enough but has slipped down the pecking order again since the arrival of Andy Fisher from MK Dons. Hamer will likely move on at the end of the campaign.
Morgan Whittaker
SIGNED from Derby County as one for the future, the striker’s time here so far has been one of limited opportunities.
Martin sent the youngster out on loan to Lincoln City to get some game-time under his belt, which he has done. Has played in an unfamiliar role of left wing-back at times for the Imps.
Kieron Freeman
AN odd signing to say the least, Free
man played just 20 minutes of football for Swansea – against Manchester City in the FA Cup.
Was released and was picked up by former club Portsmouth, where he still is now. The 30-year-old has made 25 appearances for Pompey this term.
Morgan Gibbs-white
A case of ‘what if’ for Swansea and Gibbs-white. Suffered a foot injury early on and was recalled by parent club Wolves having barely kicked a ball in anger for his loan club.
A player of clear quality, he’s now on loan with Sheffield United and has been immense for them, registering nine goals as a play-off push is on the cards.
Viktor Gyokeres
DIDN’T work out for the Sweden man in Swansea and was recalled by Brighton.
But he has gone from strength to strength ever since, with Coventry City signing him on loan and then in a permanent deal. The 23-year-old has bagged 14 goals in 41 outings for the Sky Blues this season.
Kasey Palmer
IT was hoped Palmer would step into the role left vacant by Gibbs-white but it didn’t work out that way.
Was recalled by Bristol City and despite being linked with a return it never materialised. Still with the Robins, but struggling for minutes under Nigel Pearson.
Conor Hourihane
MADE an instant impact after signing on loan from Aston Villa in January 2021, but his influence waned towards the end of the campaign and he couldn’t help Swansea past Brentford in the play-off final at Wembley.
Villa sent him on loan to Sheffield United last summer where he has featured regularly.
With his Villa career likely over, the Republic of Ireland man faces a decision this summer.
Jordan Morris
SIGNED following injuries to Liam Cullen and Wayne Routledge, Morris suffered a devastating ACL injury away at Huddersfield, wrecking the American’s move to British football. Spent a long time on the treatment table back at his club Seattle Sounders. It’s good to see him back on the pitch after such a terrible injury.
Paul Arriola
MORRIS’ fellow American, the DC United man made his debut as a substitute in the 3-1 defeat to Man City in the FA Cup.
Time here hit by controversy as historic tweets were circulated, prompting the club to make a statement. Moved on from DC United and is now with FC Dallas.